Volunteers Sought For Cancer Study

The American Cancer Society is conducting its third major prevention study. Northern Illinois residents are being asked to participate in the nationwide survey.

Earlier studies by the organization have linked cancer to smoking and physical activity. Now, the American Cancer Society is taking a close look at genetic factors in determining how certain people get cancer, and how others don't.

Elizabeth Jablonski is a research director with the ACS. She says learning these trends will add another piece to the puzzle.

"Now that we understand and have the tools to study genes and how they affect your susceptibility to cancer, we're taking a small blood sample so we can add that to other information we've been gathering," Jablonski said.

Officials hope to recruit 300,000 people by December, with 6,500 coming from Illinois. Enrollment will be held in Chicago's western suburbs over the next week-and-a-half. Several more registration dates are scheduled for the Rockford-Belvidere area next month.

Those who enroll successfully will be asked to take part in follow up surveys spread out over the next 20 to 30 years. Those between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to sign up.